Emma Anderson is Head of Solutions Delivery at Planet, a payments company based in Ireland, that provides services to companies like Starbucks, Adidas and Kate Spade. It’s an industry we don’t often talk about - yet it’s played a vital role in enabling our ability to make online payments and digital transactions.
Emma had several stops along the way to get to this point, but her original career goal had nothing to do with the payments industry. Her parents were missionaries, and that inspired Emma to pursue being a medical missionary. But Emma struggled to make it through the rigorous and demanding coursework of medical school at the University of Birmingham in the UK. So, she dropped out and started working as a sales and operations coordinator for a heavy machinery company.
In 2007, Emma was introduced to the endless possibilities in the world of digital payments when she accepted a position at Barclays. And then pivoted to a Senior Marketing Manager role at Visa to promote digital payment products and services to greater Europe. And eventually took a position with Elavon that involved less travel when she needed to think seriously about starting a family.
Emma absolutely loved working at Elavon, a subsidiary of U.S. Bank, until some changes shook up the company’s focus on ethical business practices. Knowing the importance of transparency in the financial world, Emma spoke up as a whistleblower at the risk of more losses to the company and ruining her relationship with her boss.
Honesty is a big part of Emma’s story, so when she was later offered a new job in the UAE around the same time she finally got pregnant, she knew she had to turn it down. After the birth of their first child, Emma then took a position with Planet where she works today.
Emma’s story is all about the importance of honesty and trusting God when the outcome looks different than what we imagined.
Special thanks for this episode: Emma and Robin Anderson, Amy Maxson, Jenn Lazala and Josh Batson
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Faith Collides podcast is hosted by Grace Huang from Lux Mundi. More information: www.lxmundi.com